On the Inception of M4THEE

Muslims 4 the Environment is a product of the month of Ramadan 1440 Hijri (2019). In reality, it was the outcome from the momentum that was gained from the spiritual process of this beautiful month that transitioned into the subsequent month of Shawaal and beyond. The month of Ramadan always leaves us with serious questions and deep reflections. What are we going to do to further serve humanity? What kind of legacy are we going to leave behind as we get closer to that finish line? The product from the small project we tackled the previous Ramadan never really took flight. There were some adjustments made, lessons learned and opportunities for reflection.

Ramadan 1440 was no different. The same questions twirled in the head. Thankfully, the month of Shawal led to a “green” initiative for the local mosque. While taking a break from another project, work began on that deck in late June before the close of the month of Shawaal. While working on that presentation, Muslims 4 the Environment knocked on the door without warning. It took center stage and demanded undivided attention. In a matter of forty eight hours, the vision, mission statement and logo all came together in dreamlike yet crisp and crystal clear fashion. There were positive signs everywhere and little miracles. Everything fell effortlessly into place. By the first day of Muharram 1441, only three short months after Ramadan, we harnessed additional inspiration with the inception of the website, social media accounts and were already looking for compatible board members. An awful lot to be thankful for . . .

In the end, the lessons I learned from the inception of an organization are much like the ones I observed in diplomacy. It’s about fostering relations . . . local, national and international relations. Building positive and lasting relations remains the model of the Prophet SAW. After all, he was an amazing diplomat with a tremendous ability and capacity to unite. In another way, the inception of an organization is much like creative writing, be it fiction or otherwise. Ideas are just that when they twirl in the head. It is only when pen meets paper or when the first steps of implementation are underway that a sentiment, idea or vision can take shape and metamorphose into a poem, novel or organization. In the end, it is not impossible. The hardest thing about producing something you never thought possible is to actually sit down, take small steps and produce it. You only need a good intention, a firm belief in The Creator and sincere work ethics.

Sincerely,

M4THEE Founder

Mouhamadou Niang

We ask Allah SWT to give M4THEE 20/20 vision as we take a deep plunge into the world of environmental sustainability to please our Creator, revive the sunnah, help the ummah and humanity at large to become conscious guests on planet earth. Ameen!